1 Internet Detective Searching for Clues Evaluating Web Sites C. Johnson

2 Evaluating Web Sites All information is not created equal! Facts: Anyone can be an author on the Internet whether an amateur or an expert. Information can be true, false or change. Web sites can be removed without warning.

C. Johnson 3 Evaluating Web Sites A web site suitable for research is Accurate Facts are correct! Authoritative Written by an expert Objective Based on facts NOT opinion Current Up-to-date

C. Johnson 4 Evaluating Web Sites Be an Internet Detective Ask questions and look for clues. Weigh the evidence to make a judgment. To evaluate a web site you must ask Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?

C. Johnson 5 Evaluating Web Sites WHO? Facts Anyone can publish a web site about any topic. Web sites are created by businesses schools organizations individuals

C. Johnson 6 Evaluating Web Sites WHO? Think Would you trust a web site created about fixing cars by the classmate sitting next to you? wrestling techniques by your librarian? how to find information in our library by your librarian?

C. Johnson 7 Evaluating Web Sites WHO? Ask Is the author identified? Is the author an expert on the topic? How can you find out more about the author? Can you contact the author from the site? Is the author part of an organization you know? Is the site sponsored by a government, organization, school, or company? Did you get to the site by from a link you trust?

C. Johnson 8 Evaluating Web Sites WHAT? Facts Web sites have a variety of purposes: To inform To sell To persuade To communicate To entertain To misinform Urban Legends Hoax Hate sites

C. Johnson 9 Evaluating Web Sites WHAT? Think A web site you use for one purpose may not work for another. Purchase music by The Beatles Report on the history of The Beatles

C. Johnson 10 Evaluating Web Sites WHAT? Ask Is the purpose of the site stated? Is the site trying to sell, inform, or persuade? Does there appear to be another purpose? Is the information presented with a minimum of bias? Is there in depth information or is it limited? Do links support the content? Does the content have informational value? Is the same information available in other sources? Who is the target audience?

C. Johnson 11 Evaluating Web Sites WHEN? Facts There is no one organization or person who removes old web sites or outdated information. The organization or person creating the web site must do this. (They don’t always remember or take the time to do this!)

C. Johnson 12 Evaluating Web Sites WHEN? Think Is a recent update important if you want to know the name of president of the United States? the title of Taylor Swift’s latest album? George Washington’s birthday ?

C. Johnson 13 Evaluating Web Sites WHEN? Ask When was it created? When was it last updated? Is the information current? Does a current date matter?

C. Johnson 14 Evaluating Web Sites WHERE? Facts Web sites can be evaluated by looking at the URL. A URL (Universal Resource Locator) is the address you type to go to a web site

C. Johnson 15 Evaluating Web Sites WHERE? Think Domains make up the URL edu or ac -- educational institution com or net -- commercial organization org -- nonprofit organizations gov -- government agency mil -- military

C. Johnson 16 Evaluating Web Sites WHERE? Ask What is the site's address/URL? Is the server at a school? A business? A governmental agency? Is this a personal page with a "~" or ".name" in the URL? Can I find more about the sponsor?

C. Johnson 17 Evaluating Web Sites WHY? Fact You will have different reasons for using information: School report Buying something Fun Communicating

C. Johnson 18 Evaluating Web Sites WHY? Think A web site you use for one purpose may not work for another: You want to see a movie tonight; You want to read a review of a movie; You want to know if a movie won any awards; You want to tell your friends about a movie you loved!

C. Johnson 19 Evaluating Web Sites WHY? Ask Why is this information useful for my purpose? Why should I use this information? Why is this page better than another?

C. Johnson 20 Evaluating Web Sites HOW? Facts Appearance of a site can tell you about its content Some web sites are designed better than others

C. Johnson 21 Evaluating Web Sites HOW? Think Spelling errors Too much to look at Broken links

C. Johnson 22 Evaluating Web Sites HOW? ask Is the page easy to understand and use? Is the page well organized or does it look too busy? Do all of the links work? Is the page free from a lot of advertising? Is the content accurate? Are there spelling or grammar errors?

C. Johnson 23 Evaluating Web Sites Web sites do not have a title or verso page. Look for clues in the The header The side bar The body The foot

C. Johnson 24 Evaluating Web Sites Basic web page layout The header home page link contact author sponsor

C. Johnson 25 Evaluating Web Sites Basic web page layout The side bar home page contact

C. Johnson 26 Evaluating Web Sites Basic web page layout The body content purpose audience

C. Johnson 27 Evaluating Web Sites Basic web page layout The foot contact author date link to home page

C. Johnson 28 Evaluating Web Sites Click on one of these links to find clues

C. Johnson 29 Evaluating Web Sites Works Cited Schrock, Kathy The 5 Ws of Web Site Evaluation. Web. 1 Apr The 5 Ws of Web Site Evaluation “Searching for Web Sites.” Using the Web. Houghton Mifflin. Web. 8 Mar